Chapter 2

Eugene held a document folder in his hand and awkwardly rubbed his nose before clearing his throat. "Raine, I was wrong this morning. I shouldn't have spoken so harshly, but you need to understand, I'm doing this for your own good.

"In a few days, I'll bring some gifts and visit your father to help him through this. Just sign the consent form. After that, we can start trying for a baby. Haven't your parents always wanted a grandchild?"

For a brief moment, his sudden attempt to soften me made my heart waver. I thought maybe he had changed.

But in the end, he was just covering for his precious intern.

We had been married for seven years and never had a child. At first, he claimed he wasn't ready. Later, he used work as an excuse. Over the years, the pressure fell entirely on me. Everyone assumed I was the one at fault.

I endured it all for him.

I had never said a single bad word about him, and now he was acting like signing this consent form was some kind of favor he was doing for me?

How generous.

The absurdity made my blood boil. I swung my hand and hit him square across the face.

Eugene froze, clutching his cheek. "Are you out of your mind?"

He flinched as if to strike, then stopped himself.

He drew in a slow breath, trying to rein in his anger, and forced a smile. "Your mom just died. I get that you're emotional, but please be reasonable and sign it. If you do, I'll treat you right from now on. Come on."

I let out a cold laugh and crossed my arms, trying to keep my anger in check.

"Eugene, I'm not the one who should sign. Why don't you go see for yourself? You haven't even checked the body. How can you be so certain it was my mom?"

His face darkened, and he slammed his hand against the table.

"Lorraine, don't push me. Fine. If you won't sign, then we're done. Let's get a divorce!"

I raised an eyebrow and calmly handed him the divorce papers I had prepared beforehand. "Go ahead. Sign these."

Eugene didn't expect me to actually have divorce papers in hand and froze in shock.

"You're serious? Lorraine, is this really necessary? It was just an accident. Your mom died during the surgery, but do you have to make it such a big deal?

"If you divorce me, you'll get nothing. Who would want someone like you? Sign it now. If Peggy loses her promotion because of you, don't think I'll let it slide!"

Who did he think he was scaring?

I rolled my eyes. "Is life worth nothing to you? Do you really think saying it was an accident makes it all okay?"

Eugene snapped, "Are you done yet? If your mom weren't so weak, she wouldn't have died from something so trivial. Peggy has done this to countless people, and only your mom ended up dead. If she were useless, she wouldn't have come in the first place.

"Suit yourself if you won't sign, don't regret it later! Your mom got what she deserved! Your whole family is heartless, ganging up on a young woman just starting her career!"

Eugene stormed off, cursing under his breath. I watched as he walked away and let out a helpless sigh.

All these years, Mom had treated him like her own son. She woke early every morning to prepare his breakfast and always came hours ahead so as not to disturb his rest.

Even his job had been secured through my parents' connections and money, and yet he could speak with such cold cruelty.

The chill in my chest only deepened, strengthening my resolve to divorce him.

But before I could plan how to make him sign the papers, devastating news arrived.